Category Archives: Animal

All the leetle details are coming together for the small army slowly building in my studio. Last week I visited the bright and sunny studio of my friend Brooke Weeber to photograph the body of work so far – it’s promo time for the gallery.

In the coming weeks I’ll be wrapping up the last of the work, but in the meantime, here’s a little teaser video of the show to come!

It should be no surprise that I’m a big fan of stop-motion/animation studio Laika. When their commercial house division contacted me for an interview feature, it was a no brainer. Check out my latest interview with Laika here.

My little narwhal was famous for a day on Tumblr. It was pretty cool seeing her floating on the home page. If she ever got to meet you in person, Tumblr, she’d give you a gentle horn tap in thanks.

Yep, STILL chugging along in the studio! The time is nearly here when I can finally share my work (August August August). To say I’m excited is a vast understatement.

A special sale is still happening in my shop, with a handful of original Animal Battle paintings up for grabs! Save 15% with code BATTLECRY. Sale ends this Monday, 11/25. These beasts are looking for a new home – will it be yours?

The Neverending Story is one of my all-time favorite movies. I watched the film a dozen times when I was a kid and again more recently, and was pleasantly surprised to see it hold up so well in 2013.

And now, my favorite gallery in the world, Pony Club, of which I am a member (not biased at all guys), will be hosting our first group show in months. Nostalgiawill feature new and desaturated works by rad artists this Thursday, October 3rd! Falcor will be in attendance, and I hear my co-member Keith Carter will be showing a Secret of Nimh piece.

If you’re in Portland, how could you not? Usher in the Fall season the right way. See you kids there!

During my journeys through Animal Battle, I pick up different species and add them to my list of Creatures I Need To Draw. I’m developing quite the menagerie.

Some battle roles for these beasts take some time to materialize, or I must deliberate on whether they will be a Good Guy or Bad Guy. Or both. (Evil can be cute, too). Other times, their place in the army is immediately apparent. Such was the case with the tiny Pink Armadillo.

With her enormous pink claws, this little creature can burrow underground in a heartbeat and swim through dirt like water. Naturally, she was a perfect candidate for a Tunnel Scout.

This original illustration is a new offering in my shop. Occasionally I’ll be listing tiny affordable art; if you’re looking for an Animal of your own that’s easy on the wallet, these little fellas are for you.

Last week, I began the search for The Enemy in my sketchbook. In Animal Battle, The Enemy represents Fear and Doubt. I let my pencil and brush search out the details that would personify those negative feelings: the black smoke of doubt that clouds your mind, the heart-jolting strike of fear. From these sketches the first soldier of The Enemy was born.

On a lighter note, this fella is based on the tenacious Honey Badger (because Honey Badger don’t care.)

Hola. Here are pictures of my sketchbook, showing some quick drawings I did of another Animal Battle piece, Koala. This sketchbook is a big’n (I use 11 x 14″ books), and it has become such an integral part of my process that I can’t imagine not using it.

As you can see, I didn’t stray too much from the original sketch:

I’m in the final stretch before the show opens next week, and not as if you needed a reminder, BUT:

I heard that soft moss, blades of grass, and tiny mushrooms make for very durable battle gear. And I can think of nothing more intimidating than a bolo tie bearing a little black scorpion. This raccoon is tough. I’d watch out for him.

More – ever more! – work for Animal Battle. At the risk of sounding like a broken record: May 2nd. Pony Club Gallery. Portland. Allllll this stuff will be hanging on a wall.

And ya know what else?

Affordable, beautiful prints. Soon to be in my shop.

Here is the official event on Facebook. Hope to see you there, friends!